Pistolsmithin'

[Dave Sample]

I have just opened up a package with a 1911 in it that I built for a Professional Soldier some years ago. It is very plain and would be In Keeping with a SWAT Type 1911 as it was built from this and that for hard social work. This 1911 has been all over the world and the man that owns it is a highly decorated Green Beret Colonel. now retired. He still does a lot of private work overseas, but this gun needs to be serviced and given a check upo as part of my NO BS Lifetime Warranty Program. I do not ask what he does now and he does not tell me, he just wants to make sure that we detail strip it and do any needed tweaks. It is going to Gunsite tomorrow with me when I meet the new General Manager and I am going to show it to him, as it is a perfect gun for Gunsite Work and one I am very proud of.

My question is: Would you guys and gals like to see some pictures of the type of gun that we used to build for the Bank Guards in Hong Kong, the Merc's, the Deputies here and there? This gun has atomic sights that I designed and is not too hard on the eyes. It has an old Drake Hard Slide, a Kart Army Barrel, an unknown , maybe 80 year old, lower end with a gunsmith stamped custom serial number that Tamara would like, and a shooter that works every time you pull the trigger, with quality ammmo and good magazines.
I am going to have the front strap serrated, I am going to serrate the trigger guard, then I am going to have Electroless Nickle applied to the lower end after it is remodeled. We can do some neat before and after stuff here if you want to. I am up to my ears right now until a couple of days from now, so let me know if this holds any interest for any of you 1911 fans. Post your replies here and I will make the time to read them. This one gives new meaning to a P/P/J/G.

[auto45]

Yes, very much.

The more...the better.

[azmax]

I would be delighted to see it

[garrettwc]

Yes. Yes.

Especially the kind described in your post, built for "hard social work".

[buzz_knox]

My question is: Would you guys and gals like to see some pictures of the type of gun that we used to build for the Bank Guards in Hong Kong, the Merc's, the Deputies here and there?

You even need to ask? Yes, post the pictures, please.

[Seraph]

Yes, please do post your account of the work, with lots of before/after pics. Thanks, Mr. Sample.

[PKAY]

Yes, indeed!!

[dale taylor]

Yes sir Mr. Sample !

[Dave Sample]

Ok Guys! Give me a day or two and you got it!

[Dave Sample]

Thanks for waiting. I have been busy with a bunch of small fires that had to be put out.

http://pic11.picturetrail.com/VOL368/953404/6997810/90620452.jpg

It lives here when not on the hip.

http://pic11.picturetrail.com/VOL368/953404/6997810/90622378.jpg

Got a nice Beavertail Fron Mr. Ed Brown. A standard Colt Thumb Safety.

http://pic11.picturetrail.com/VOL368/953404/6997810/90622386.jpg

This is the marking just aft of the ejection port. Note the nice roll over notch.

http://pic11.picturetrail.com/VOL368/953404/6997810/90620448.jpg

This si the marking on the Hard Slide made by Drake many moons ago. I filed and filed on the sides but it was too hard to get the machine ripples smooth.

http://pic11.picturetrail.com/VOL368/953404/6997810/90620717.jpg

Barrel is one made by Kart for the Armed Services. No Guide Rod in this baby!

[Dave Sample]

A stake on atomic front sight.

http://pic11.picturetrail.com/VOL368/953404/6997810/90620732.jpg

And a rear night light designed by me as the best night sight picture going. It is a custom feature that I used to do. I serrate the rear of the slide.

http://pic11.picturetrail.com/VOL368/953404/6997810/90623024.jpg


The barrel hood with the chamber check notch.

http://pic11.picturetrail.com/VOL368/953404/6997810/90623032.jpg

Some of the secret stuff for reliablity in here.

http://pic11.picturetrail.com/VOL368/953404/6997810/90621667.jpg

A huge hole for magazine insertion.

http://pic11.picturetrail.com/VOL368/953404/6997810/90620721.jpg

Note the signature slide stop treatment.

[IMG]http://pic11.picturetrail.com/VOL368/953404/6997810/90620724.jpg[/IMG

Not very fancy, is it? It has everything you need and nothing you don't. A nice flat black/blue finish that wears in nicely, and a set of great sights for social work in the daylight or at night, and a aemi-match barrel that puts them right where they are supposed to go. These were Work Guns and built to do the job in adverse conditions. The lowered porst insures kicking those empty cases out quick and clean and the S&A magazine well/mainspring housing helps for very quick abd certain re loads. Hope you enjoy.

[Dave Sample]

The overall picture of the P/P/J/G (Pieces parts junk gun) that we built some years ago for hard work in the Comraderie of Danger and Death............

http://pic11.picturetrail.com/VOL368/953404/6997810/90623019.jpg

"She's not much to look at, Not much to see, but she works just great and means the world to me......................."

[auto45]

I like the clean look of the 1911 frame.

Everything seems to blend well/smooth, particulary the brown beavertail fit. That's very important, to me anyway, when shooting.

Many of the current 1911's have too many "cuts, edges, and parts added that look...not quite right!

Very nice.

[hivel37]

Hey Dave, thanks for the pictures. That is good work. Especially like the serrations on the back of the slide. One of the best shooters I've handled was a "parts gun". Thanks again.

[Dave Sample]

Whay not have a lttle contrast? This is what we do for fun and games.

http://pic11.picturetrail.com/VOL368/953404/6573320/35071413.jpg

http://pic11.picturetrail.com/VOL368/953404/6573320/35071779.jpg

http://pic11.picturetrail.com/VOL368/953404/6573320/35071800.jpg

http://pic11.picturetrail.com/VOL368/953404/6573320/35071599.jpg

[Dave Sample]

http://pic11.picturetrail.com/VOL368/953404/6573320/35071614.jpg

http://pic11.picturetrail.com/VOL368/953404/6573320/35072013.jpg

http://pic11.picturetrail.com/VOL368/953404/6573320/35072006.jpg

http://pic11.picturetrail.com/VOL368/953404/6573320/35071993.jpg

[Ledbetter]

Now you're just showing off! ;)

Very very nice work. I don't think I've seen better.

[Handy]

I missed it. What is the "signature slide stop treatment"?

[N.M. Edmands]

As usual, good looking stuff Dave. Bye the way you been "pistolsmithin" on your Volksy Dave? I've had knuckles like the one in your pic. Ow! :D

[Dave Sample]

The checkering underneath the slide stop is something I have been doing for a long time. Maybe it is not easy to see in that picture.

http://pic11.picturetrail.com/VOL368/953404/6335056/81708413.jpg

Here is a better shot on SS01.

[Handy]

Ah, good stuff. I like it.


That must be really useful when you are constantly locking the slide back manually to clear a jam. :D

(Yes Dave, I'm pulling your leg.)

[Dave Sample]

Well..............................jamomatics are not our thing, Handy. Thanks for the kind words. Your opinion is valuble to me.

[XavierBreath]

http://pic11.picturetrail.com/VOL368/953404/6997810/90623019.jpg

I like it! That is one hard core take no prisoners no BS shooting iron.

[Dave Sample]

We are going to change the appearance of this gun somewhat by serrating the front strap like a Gold Cup, and then doing a rough blast on the rounds and sending it out to have it Electroless Nickle plated on the lower end. The barrel bore has no leade so I am going to ream the chamber with my Clymer Finish Reamer to make it less sensitive to re loads and ammo that is not up to snuff, but that will shoot. Right now it has to be fed real good ammo and we want to make it a little more forgiving. I am pleased that the Colonel thinks enough of it now to make some cosmetic and function improvements. I am not happy with that trigger he furnished and will change it to one I can adjust for Prep (Take Up) and overtravel. I also have to make sure that we still have a 3lb trigger pull.
It does kind of say "Open for Business", doesn't it?
I just installed Nite Lights on his LW Colt Commander so he is not un-armed out there. Don Williams did it for us and did a beautiful job of machining. I was just the middle man here. I have to admit that they were so neat I am thinking about my LW Commander and those little eyes that glow in the dark...................................oh well, maybe when the money comes................... This work on the gunfighter gun is all Pro Bono. He is a Friend of the Family. Thanks for the nice comments. That is my payday now.

[XavierBreath]

change it to one I can adjust for Prep (Take Up) and overtravel
Dave,
For my future reference, are there any triggers other than the McCormick and Dlask that you can adjust for prep? Also, do you know if anyone has ever drilled and tapped the frame for a setscrew to adjust prep?
thanks,
XB

[Dave Sample]

To answer the question, Yes and No. Teddy (Actions by T) installs a set screw in triggers sometimes both ways and does a very good job of it. I used to cut a flap in the stirrup up in the curved area by the magazine catch and bend it to suit my tastes for prep. I used a lot of different triggers through the years and now like the CMC trigger group for our Online 1911's.
There is no where in the frame to put a screw that I can think of. The stirrup is up against the magazine catch up front and that limits the travel both ways. The sear spring keeps it pressed forward when at rest and the magazine catch stops it when it goes back regardless of any overtravel device.
I have 6 Speed Triggers that have stirrups that look like the CMC stirrups. I really don't know who made them but I sure like them. There is a nice picture of them in the previous issue of American Handgunner in Alex Hamilton's column.

[brandx]

The trigger STIRRUP does not press against the mag catch. The trigger shoe does and if it has a stop screw, the screw will hit the mag catch if adjusted correctly.
You CAN put a set screw on either side of the frame to adjust "prep"/take up. On some pistols, because of tolerance stack up of the various parts, zero take up wil result in the hammer half cock notch not engaging.
Nowlin also makes a trigger with a tab for adjusting take up.

[Dave Sample]

Sorry. You are right about the triggers with overtravel screws, of course. The stirrup does sit above the magazine catch and the shoe would hit the catch. I was visualizing the area in the frame that the trigger rides in without the mag catch installed. How silly of me. I am glad you caught that detail. Where on the frame do you put these screws? That is a very interesting concept. I have never seen that done before on a 1911. Eager minds want to know. Perhaps a picture of that process? You must be a very talented smith to do that kind of work!

[Tamara]

Nowlin also makes a trigger with a tab for adjusting take up.

So does Wilson. I think it's part #160.

Anyone know if the Mg/Ti triggers from Dlask offer this?

[Handy]

Where on the frame do you put these screws? Seems like you could put them on either side of the trigger shoe so they would contact the trigger bow where it angles to merge behind the shoe. The area where a contour cut was added between the 1911 and 1911A1.

[brandx]

Exactly, Handy.
Dave, I've been building guns for local IPSC( and now IDPA) shooters and doing repairs/tuning for 17 years. I've run into my share of head scratchers over the years and I learn something new nearly every time I de-bug a 1911. It's kind of funny when a customer brings in a pistol I built/worked on 10-12 years ago, I take it apart and see something that makes me think "What the hell was I thinking when I did that!!".
Keep up the good work.

[Dave Sample]

Amen Brandx, I just cut a comp off of a race gun that I built a long time ago and the beavertail is Butt Ugly.
I know what we could do, but I know what I won't do. Don Williams and I agree that it could be done by angling a screw in right in the frame by the finger cuts up front and it would be ugly, but it would work. The question in my mind is? Why? I am old and lazy and have been that way ever since I can remember. I will use the stirrups we have available now, thank you. I used to silver soder on a piece of shim on the back of the stirrup. Remember that one? Yuk! We are very lucky to have the aftermarket parts we have today! Nice to have you here playing with us. I am still in the learning stage as you may have noticed. Romulus is teaching me to spell!

[Handy]

Wasn't me, Dave.

[Dave Sample]

I can read readin' and write writin', but I can't read writin'. I did edit it. "I wish I had of kissed the SOB!" "Georgie Patton: 1943"

[brandx]

Actually it doesn't come out that ugly. Use a 4-40 allen set screw short enough to sit flush or slightly below the surface.Why do it? Because I can and it does make it easy to adjust take up to exactly where I want it. I have one of the silver soldered triggers in my parts bin. It's a very early short/steel, chrome plated, no less.

[XavierBreath]

That's exactly what I am talking about brandx. It seems to me if it were done well, it would be no uglier than a screw on adjustable sights, and the benefit would be that you could adjust pretravel to exactly what you wanted with no trial and error. It also seems as if you would need only one set screw.
Is that your experience?

[brandx]

One screw works fine. You can put it on either side, makes no difference. Dave has a point ,too, tabs on the trigger bow don't leave any holes in the frame. I wouldn't do it to a pistol I had plans to sell.

[Hunter Customs]

STI makes a single stack trigger with the pretravel tabs. The set screw works very well for those with machining capabilities. In the past set screws were installed in the mainspring housing to give one the capability to adjust the trigger pull weight.
Regards
Bob Hunter
www.huntercustoms.com

[Tamara]

STI makes a single stack trigger with the pretravel tabs.
Brownell's hosed me when I tried to order one for my Delta Elite. I have them in three of my other guns, and am impressed with their quality, but was distressed by Brownell's claim that they had been discontinued. (They're still listed on STI's site.) I was curious about the Dlask unit, as I've used other parts from them before and was quite pleased with their execution.

[Hunter Customs]

Tamara,
The last word I received from Brownell's is the same answer you received they are no longer available. So I did a little looking around they are available, just stocked five more in the shops parts bin yesterday.
Excellent triggers the best I've ever used.
Regards
Bob Hunter
www.huntercustoms.com

[Dave Sample]

Triggers are a dirty word around here right now. I have 15 backordered and whoever makes them is taking their time.
Set screws in the frame are not me. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and I like to keep those things out of sight. I am sure it's a neat trick for machinists, but like Bob said. I would not want to do it for a gun I would not keep. I have seen set screws in the darndest places in 1911's as Bob probably has through the years.
I install a set screw in the frame of 1873 type SA's but it is out of sight. It is my adjustable hammer stop and it works great for these kind of guns. I am going to do one today for a new Colt 4th generation that needs some help bad. I am glad they went back to the 1st generation cylinder bushing because it makes it easier to get the end shake out. I never liked the pressed in bushings.
The days of yesteryear were days of daily invention. Some turned out good, some did not. I always liked to work with brand new parts of known specs. That does not mean it's the right way, it is just MY way.

[Dean Taylor]

I have been able to get STI parts from Dave Dawson a few times when not abailable else where.

Dean
[email protected]
410-952-7848

[Jammer Six]

Can't help but notice your finger on the trigger, Dave.

I imagine you have a good reason for it, but it hurts my eyes.

Good to see you posting in public again! :cool:

[Dave Sample]

Thanks Jammer! I have my finger on a lot of triggers in my shop where I have made the safety checks prior to taking the pictures. I was testing a trigger pull one day with a client in the shop and he was laughing at me because I was pointing the gun up at the sky and there was no top end on it! I did not realize how picky I was about gun safety till then!
I hope you are well and having fun with your group of pals on the other forums! You are an interesting man. Other than the trigger finger, did you have any other comments about the guns?

[Jammer Six]

Other than the trigger finger, did you have any other comments about the guns?

Nope. That finger gave me tunnel vision, and made it hard for me to see th gun.

[Dave Sample]

http://pic11.picturetrail.com/VOL368/953404/6335056/81707602.jpg

Here's lookin at you, Kid...................................Another tunnel to look at!